Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-11-10


him a slap that sent him spinning.
Her pluck raised a laugh, and she was
not molested further. The big fellow
was satisfied to mix up with the crowd
and get out of sight. Without a word
more Annie then went right through
the crowd to set switch for train
that was coming out. The gang passed
on and the girl was left alone. She's
a good one, and no mistake"
''How is she regarded among the
yardmen?"
They think the world of Annie.
They would fight for her in minute,
if necessary"
''De not complaints come in occa-
sionally?"
IL never had but one complaint from
Annie in the whole twelve years she
has been throwing switches. Once
she was given a signal imperfectly,
and sent car down the wrong track.
This is very annoying to the engine
crews, as they have to back down and
get it. As the engine went by one of
the switchmen gave Annie II blast for
her mistake. Well, the poor girl was
mistake-for she takes great pride in
her work-and then to have this on
top broke her all up. 1 happened to
come out soon afterward and she told
me about it. The man was given his
time, and that was the last complaint
L ever heard from Annie. But go out
and see her yourself. "
did so.
The stock-yards are situated about
mile and half west of the main yard,
although an interlacing chain of tracks
extends the entire distance, filled most
of the time with putting engines and
moving cars. Out beyond the gigantic
elevators. where is stored away the
product of the Northwestern prairieS,
the tracks narrow as they leave the
yard proper and stretch away to the
stOck-yards.
1t was a lowering day in August
when l walked out along the track.
Out in the open, like brown dot in a
mass of black spider-threads, lay
Annie's switch ''shanty;' mark for
biting winter winds and scorching
summer suns, from which its thin sides
would seem to afford but poor protec-
ton. A cold north wind came sweep
ing across the marshy valley, bringing
with it a suspicion of rain. 1t was one
of those days peculiar to the western
shore of Lake Michigan, where the flop
of weather vane changes the dog-day
heat to autumn's chill.
Over to the northeast the spires and
cupolas of the crowded city stood out
against the cloudy sky. Back and be-
yond the brown shanty small grove
of second-growth trees climb the
abrupt hill, leaving the little strip of
meadow beneath to look out for itself.
The door of the switch shanty stands
open. Inside a young woman was
busily engaged with knitting work.
In answer to a question if this is
"Switch Annie, IL bright, comely face,
bronzed by summer sun to a color
which an Atlantic City bather would
envy, is projected from behind the
door. and an affirmative reply. accom-
panied by smile that reveals two
rows of white. even teeth is given.
1t was the first glimpse of sunshine
| that day.
l had pictured a tall, raw-boncd.
stolid-featured amazon, in whom mus
cular development had checked all
other. 1 found a plump. comely young
woman, with a sunshiny face and
modest manner Clear-headed, intelli-
gent, quick-witted, but calm and self
| reliant-altogether an enjoyable picture
of strong, healthy womanhood. In
stature Annie is little above average
height, with plump, well-formed
figure and a shapely head firmly poised
on pair of shoulders a duchess might
envy. A broad, straw hat coquettishly
pinned up on one side shades the round
face. The hands which ply the knit
ting-needles are brown and calloused.
but shapely. A neat dress of dark
colors with broad-toed, low-heeled
walking shoes, built for service and not
show, completed the picture.
AT the time of my visit Annie was re-
ceiving call from her uncle. himself a
railroad man, and to whom am in
debted for many facts in relation to
this remarkable girl.
After the first slight reserve had
worn off, Annie talked freely in regard
to herself and her work.
"How long have 1 been throwing
switches?" she said, in reply to a ques-
ton. about twelve years. How did
l commenceP Well, when father was
first given this place there were only
two switches to look after. Then bus
mess began increasing and more
switches were put in. That made it
hard for him. but he got along until he
had to be out nights. Of course then
he had to get some sleep in the day
time. Sc my sister, four years older
than ], used to come out and tend the
switches when father was asleep. Aft